Location & Facilities

Kasaka offers a unique luxury experience - its very own rhythm, people and animals living side by side in an unrivalled location.

Kasaka River Lodge is a 22 bed luxury en-suited tented camp nestled on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Chiawa Game Management area 4 kilometers by road from the Lower Zambezi National Park - this is the only stretch on the 2,700 kilometer course of the Zambezi River where one finds National Parks on both banks of the river - the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and the famed Mana Pools World Heritage Site in Zimbabwe.

The river extends the length of the property and there are breathtaking views over the water with sightings of buffalo, elephant, hippo and crocodile.

The philosophy of combining a tranquil, off the beaten track destination for guests with support of the local environment, culture and natural resources is our dream.

Zambia is a jewel in the heart of unspoilt Africa and is surrounded by Angola, Zaire, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. People who want to visit the 'real' Africa should include Zambia and particularly the Lower Zambezi on their trip.

The lodge is situated in a natural bush environment with each chalet secluded amongst the native flora. Kasaka has a 'tame side' with beautiful manicured gardens and colourful indigenous plants and a 'wild side' for the more adventurous, which is connected to the main lodge by overhead walkways to allow for the passage of wildlife within the camp.

Bar, Deck and Library
Kasaka's bar and deck area are nestled amongst huge tamarind trees and is the perfect location for watching the world go by on the river. This is an ideal setting for you to relax in our leather loungers or sofas to read or just relax after your day's activities. The library area offers books of interest related to Africa and its abundant flora and fauna and a variety of board games are available on request.

Dining
Our thatched dining area over looks the river and dining can also be arranged on the deck for dining under the stars. (see our wining and dining page for more information)
Swimming Pool
Our swimming pool, situated on the 'tame side', overlooks the mighty Zambezi River. Sunloungers, large sunshades and two hammocks are available to help you relax during the quieter part of the day. Pool towels are available and drinks are served by the pool.

Accommodation & Rates

Luxury Chalets
The eight chalets are luxury tented and tastefully decorated with an authentic African flavour. Each has an elegantly furnished en-suite bathroom with flush toilets and powerful heated showers.

All chalets provide freshly laundered towels and bathrobes plus toiletries for your convenience will be found in our bathrooms. Twin 13 amp 3 pin square socket outlets conforming to UK standards can be found in bathroom areas.

Guests have an option of staying on the 'tame' side with manicured gardens nearest the swimming pool or on the 'wild' side, which is connected by overhead walkways to allow for the passage of wildlife within the camp.

Luxury Family Home - 'Hippo Pod'
Kasaka is proud to offer our guests a luxury family home, ideal for families or guests wanting an exclusive and private safari experience. Our home is beautifully finished and boasts handpicked furniture bought from local craftsman giving it a unique atmosphere.
Bedrooms
The master bedroom offers a double bed with en suite bath and shower the second bedroom offers twin beds and furthermore the lounge converts to a sleeping area for an extra two guests.
Bathrooms
Relax in our magnificent candlelit baths at night and shower whilst viewing game on one of Africa's most famous rivers. We provide freshly laundered towels and bathrobes plus toiletries for your convenience.
Private Deck
Hippo Pod has its own secluded deck supplied with sunloungers and its own area for private dining where morning coffee and evening meals can be enjoyed whilst overlooking the most spectacular Zambezi River. A lower deck with a swimming pool is being built and will be available in 2007.

Guests can also enjoy the main facilities of the lodge including the bar area, viewing deck, swimming pool and dining area.

Further Facilities
24-hour electricity
Twin 13 amp 3 pin square socket outlets conforming to UK standards

'Wild Mango' Honeymoon Suite
The honeymoon suite is the last chalet on the river's edge to the west of the 'wild' side and affords maximum privacy offering the same facilities as the chalets. Sink into your sumptuous four-poster double bed draped in luxury and enjoy the Zambian ambience listening to the African nightlife. Breathe in the romantic scented air whilst lying in our sensual natural stone open-air bath, viewing game on the banks of the river under the African sky.

Rates
Luxury chalet per person Sharing               Low season – (April, May & Nov) – USD 395
                                                              Mid Season – (June) – USD 450
                                                              High Season – (July & October) – USD495


Acacia Suite (Sleeps 4)                             Low season – (April, May & Nov) – USD 1500
                                                             Mid Season – (June) – USD 1650
                                                             High Season – (July & October) – USD 1850


Hippo Pod / Family House (sleeps 4/6)      Low season – (April, May & Nov) – USD 1700
                                                             Mid Season – (June) – USD 1850
                                                             High Season – (July & October) – USD2050

Rate shown for Hippo Pod is for the first four guests.  Extra adults and children 12 – 16 years charged at $150 per person per night.  Extra children under 12 Free of charge.

Rates include
All meals, drinks (not bottled wine),  land and river game viewing, fishing canoeing and other activities, Bush Kids programme, laundry, National Park entry fees, and transfers to/from the Royal Airstrip. 

Rates exclude
International flights, transfers from Lusaka, Mfuwe or Livingstone, Zambian entry visas (currently $140pp), departure taxes on domestic flights, exclusive or all day boat use, Items of a personal nature, gratuities

SADC Citizens are entitled to a discounted rate – Contact Wildfly Travel for details.

Activities

There are various Safari Experience's you can choose from :

River Safaris
Cruising on the magnificent Zambezi River is a great way to see the local wildlife. Our three pontoon boats can take you on a river safari where you will see a huge variety of animals such as, hippos, crocodiles and elephants and a wide array of birds.  Why not try a sunset cruise, relaxing on the river with a sundowner whilst watching the sunset is an experience you will never forget!

Private dinners for honeymoon couples or other special occasions can be arranged on request.

Game Drives
The Lower Zambezi National Park is situated about 20 minutes drive from Kasaka. The beauty of this park is that is it relatively untouched and offers a range of different habitats. The Zambezi, overhung with a thick riverine fringe, grassy floodplains inland fringed with mopane forests full of winterthorn trees and the escarpment hills, provide a dramatic backdrop to your safari experience.

The National Park is home to herds of Elephant and Buffalo and offers frequent sightings of Lion and Leopard. Impala, Waterbuck and Kudu are common sightings as are Zebra, Warthog, Monkeys, Baboons and Hyena. The thrill of safari really comes to light when the sunsets and the vehicle's spotlight is used to track the animals. Civet's, Porcupines, Genets and Honeybadgers are a few of the nocturnal animals you are likely to encounter.
Kasaka offers its guests early morning and late afternoon drives when the bush is cooler and the game is more active. Our new open top Land Rovers provide guests with maximum comfort when on their drives which last between two to four hours depending on the requirements of the guests and the animal activity! Evening drives will normally drive for about an hour and a half before stopping for sundowners at one of the guides' favourite spots!

Your experienced local guides have a huge range of knowledge of the local flora and fauna and animals and they are happy to answer any questions guests may have.

Fishing
The Lower Zambezi is renowned for it's excellent fishing particularly for the world's premiere game fish, the Tiger Fish, which can grow to 15kg and the Vundu, giant catfish that can grow well over 50kg!

Our experience guides will take you to all the best fishing spots and guide you through the whole process. Whether you are a complete beginner or a professional angler we can guarantee you that catching one of these mighty fish is an experience you will never forget!

The best time of year to catch Tiger Fish is September through to November. Please note that fishing for Tiger Fish is on a strictly catch and release basis to conform to local wildlife regulations.

Other species of interest are the Three Spot Bream, Red Breasted Bream, Nile Bream, Chessa, Nkupi, Bottlenose and the Cornish Jack.
Fishing Equipment
Kasaka supplies basic fishing equipment i.e., rods, reels, hocks etc which is more than enough for good fishing, however, we do not supply lures or artificial bates.

For the more serious angler we suggest that you bring your own gear, as a serious fisherman always does!

Canoeing
We believe this is one of the best ways to truly see and hear life in, on and around the Zambezi River. We have two three-man canoes and qualified canoe guides who will teach you the basics of canoeing in this environment. You will enjoy a leisurely trip downstream before being brought back by boat or vehicle. Unfortunately we can only allow children over the age of 12 in the canoes for safety reasons, and life jackets must be worn at all times.

Vintage Walking Safaris
Following the nostalgic traditions of those exploring and traveling in Africa a century ago, Vintage Safaris (www.vintageafricasafaris.com) gives one a taste of things past and present!

Travel on foot into undeveloped wilderness, all the while on foot accompanied by a portable, fully appointed mobile camp, affording the comforts and elegance of that golden age - to top it off we serve first class dining under the African sky! From the stunning setting on the banks of the Zambezi River into the remote hills of the Zambezi escarpment Vintage Safaris take you places few have ventured before.

If you would like to experience a classic 1920's safari as part of your stay at Kasaka we can put together a package for you.

 

How to get there

International flights go directly to Lusaka.  From Lusaka, there is a scenic half hour flight to the Royal Airstrip. 

The Lodge is located 10 minutes from the Royal Airstrip and 5 minutes from the Lower Zambezi National Park by boat or twenty minutes' drive in a game viewing vehicle.